Nirmal Baba can be booked for money laundering

New Delhi: After the registration of FRI against controversial godman Nirmaljeet Singh Narula alias Nirmal Baba in Lucknow, now it seems that Enforcement Directorate is also preparing to tighten his noose. The threat of registration of case under Prevention of Money Laundering Act looms large against the controversial Baba. On Saturday, a case of cheating and fraud has already been registered against him. It is also possible that unaccounted money accumulated by Nirmal Baba can be seized under the money laundering act.

According to the top officials of ED, the department is in direct contact with senior officers of Lucknow Police and a FIR copy will be sought officially from the police very soon.

A senior officer has said that the decision on Nirmal Baba will be taken only after detailed study of the FIR.

Actually, the sections 420, 417, 419 and 508 of the Indian Penal Code under which Nirmal Baba has been charged, come under the money laundering prevention act. It means ED has got full right to book him under the act. Before Nirmal Baba, ED had already registered money laundering case against former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, former Telecom Minister A Raja, Chief of Indian Medical Council, Ketan Desai.

Under the act, ED has authority to seize the property attained by illegal means.